Abstract

Introduction: HIV/AIDS is listed among the indirect causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. The common causes of direct obstetric mortality among pregnant women in Kenya include hypertension and hemorrhage whereas HIV and post abortion complications are causes of indirect obstetric mortality. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) use among seropositive pregnant women has been shown to improve pregnancy outcomes. There is no study that has been done locally to compare the pregnancy outcomes among seropositive and seronegative women at the largest maternity hospital in Kenya. The aim of the study was to compare maternal outcomes among seropositive and seronegative women at Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Nairobi county Kenya.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 240 pregnant women were recruited using purposive sampling method. The data collection tool used was a questionnaire. Data was stored in a password protected computer under safe custody of the principal investigator. Analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Categorical variables were summarized using frequency tables and continuous variables were summarized using measures of central tendency and dispersions e.g. mean median and standard deviation. Bivariate analysis was used to compare characteristics and outcomes between seropositive and seronegative women.